While, the website, MedalofFreedom.com, claims that Nixon abolished the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board, Jimmy Carter abolished the Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board in Executive Order 12014 and turned over the responsibility for recommending recipients to the Chairman of the United States Civil Service Commission. This executive order was subsequently modified again by Jimmy Carter in Exectiver Order 12107 which named the Director of the Office of Personnel Management as the person responsible for making recommendations to the President.

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management, under the authority of Executive Order 12107, has established the Presidential Rank Award Distinguished Review Board.

Additionally, the President can confer the award on persons not nominated by anyone; however, normally, each component of the Department of Defense will nominate recipients through the Secretary and the Public Service Awards Panel.